2.3
Potential Uses for Nanodimensional Materials
In nanoparticles derived from semiconductors, once they are below a critical size,
their electronic behaviour is governed by quantum physics (hence ‘quantum dots’).
The absorption of light at one wavelength leads to emission at slightly lower enO P
O
P
O
P
O
P
O P
O
P
O
P
O
P
The organic capping agent can be
changed or functionalised
(b)
(a)
The shell material
and its thickness
can be varied
The size of the inorganic core
and its nature can be controlled
O P
O
P
O
P
O
P
Fig. 2.1. (a) A ca. 4 nm core–shell dot of CdSe coated with
CdS and a TOPO, and a schematic. (b) Anatomy of organically
capped quantum dots.
2.3 Potential Uses for Nanodimensional Materials 15